Florida scholar despatched image of a cat holding a gun to youngsters. Cops say it was ‘threatening’

A 16-year-old Broward scholar was put in cuffs after sending what he thought was a humorous textual content to different college students. Police, nevertheless, interpreted it as a transparent menace of a doable mass taking pictures.

On Thursday, Pembroke Pines police fielded a number of calls stemming from a “threatening” textual content message shared amongst college students at Charles W. Flanagan Excessive Faculty, 12800 Taft St, police mentioned.

“Flanagans gonna get shoot up by Magfag tomorrow” was one of many messages alongside a photo-shopped image of a cat holding a rifle.

An ensuing investigation revealed the 16-year-old accountable was out of state when the messages had been reported. The teenager instructed officers “Magfag” was the identify of his cat and the messages had been a joke.

Whereas police decided there was no energetic menace at the highschool, officers nonetheless arrested the teenager when he returned to Pembroke Pines.

He’s dealing with a cost of written threats to conduct a mass taking pictures.

“Whether or not written as a joke or as a prank, all threats made in opposition to our colleges are taken significantly and shall be investigated by law enforcement officials,” police mentioned. “Making threats of this nature is a critical offense and any particular person who commits these acts shall be arrested and charged accordingly.”

Police are urging mother and father to talk with their youngsters in regards to the penalties of constructing threats towards a college, college students or workers.

“Our neighborhood is inspired to report any suspicious statements or threatening messages to police,” police mentioned.